All-in-one fishing tote

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a backpack and an integrated cooler than can be worn on a user&#39;s back to easily transport a cooler and a variety of fishing gear over rough terrain.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is for a fisherman's backpack/totebag thatintegrates a cooler to keep the catch of the day fresh, and canaccommodate all the fishing gear that a recreational fisherman may need.

2. Background

A sports or recreational fisherman, whether fishing in fresh or saltwater, may have to trek over rough and hard to access terrain to get tothe perfect fishing spot. This presents a real challenge because of allthe gear he has to carry, including fishing reels, rods, lines, nets,tackles and bait. Further, if he is to spend any length of time at thefishing spot, he would need to bring a cooler to keep the day's catchfrom spoiling.

Currently, there are no good solutions to allow the fisherman to easilycarry all his gear and a cooler over rough terrain or considerabledistances, other than carry the gear and cooler separately. The fishingspot is often limited to short distances from where the fishermanparked. While this problem can be alleviated with the use of SUVs andoff-road vehicles, the prime fishing spot is often located where it isonly accessible on foot.

What is desired is an apparatus that can neatly accommodate and organizeall the fishing gear a fisherman may need, integrates a cooler for theday's catch, and leaves the hands of the fisherman free so that he canhold a hiking stick, if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a backpack that can accommodate a coolerinternally. The backpack can also organize and hold neatly in place avariety of fishing gear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the back view of the backpack and the cooler componentbeing loaded into the backpack, according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an external view of the backpack with the cooler loaded.

FIG. 3 depicts the backpack as fully loaded and worn by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the “Fish-‘N’-Tote” backpack accordingto one embodiment of the disclosure. The backpack component, 100, can bemade of leather, vinyl, rubber, or any other tough, water-proof andcleanable material convenient or known. In the embodiment depicted, thebackpack is a generally box-like construction, with the top portion 101open. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the backpack 100 may bewider at the top opening 101 and taper to be slightly narrower at thebottom, in order to accommodate the easy removal of the cooler component102. The cooler component 102 is shaped to mate securely with thebackpack component 100 when the cooler component 102 is lowered into thebackpack component 100 via the opening 101. The cooler component 102 canbe easily lifted out of the backpack component 100 via handles 104 onthe sides of the cooler 102, for easy removal of the fish, cleaning anddrying.

The cooler component 102 is made of Styrofoam, hard plastic, rubber, orany other light weight but durable insulated material known orconvenient. An added layer of insulation may be added to the interior ofthe cooler box if desired. The cooler component is sealed and insulatedby a lid or cover 103. Note that when the cooler component 102 is loadedinto the backpack component 100, the lid or cover 103 extends beyond theopening 101 and can be removed, for easy access to the cooler interioreven while the cooler is in the loaded configuration.

The exterior of the backpack component 100 is neatly organized to hold avariety of fishing gear. In the embodiment depicted, there are pocketsfor holding tackles 109, 109 a, and pockets for holding a variety offishing tools 105, 105 a. Fishing poles and nets can be removablyattached to the exterior by inserting a pole or net through one of thefishing pole sleeves 106 and resting the end of the fishing pole in afishing pole holder 107. The top of the fishing pole can then be tieddown with a fishing pole tie 108. In the embodiment depicted, up to 5fishing poles can be removably held in a vertical position.

FIG. 2 depicts the front of the backpack according to the embodimentdiscussed above. The cooler component is loaded into the backpackcomponent, with the lid of the cooler 103 extending beyond the opening101 in the backpack component. For easy carrying of the backpack,shoulder straps 201 are made available for the user to carry thebackpack on his back. Shoulder pads can be strung on the straps foradded comfort. Optionally, a chest strap 202 that runs horizontally onthe wear's chest can be used to help balance the backpack on thewearer's back. The straps can be adjustable via clips, straps, loops orany other method convenient or known.

FIG. 3 depicts the system as fully loaded and worn on the back of a user300. A fishing pole 301 is secured to the backpack via a fishing poleholder 107, fishing pole sleeve 106 and fishing pole tie 108. Similarly,a fishing net 302 can be secured in the same way. The backpack 100 isworn on the back of the user 300 via shoulder straps 201, leaving theuser's hands free for balance or to hold a hiking stick if desired.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed isintended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for easy transportation of fishing gear and a cooler,comprising: a backpack component and cooler component, wherein saidcooler component can be removably mated to the backpack component; saidbackpack component having straps that allow it to be carried on the backof a user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least oneloop and one tie for securing a fishing pole to the exterior of thebackpack component.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: atleast one external pocket for carrying fishing gear.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the cooler component is made of a material selectedfrom the group comprising Styrofoam, plastic and rubber.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the backpack component is made of amaterial selected from the group comprising leather, vinyl and cloth. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backpack component is made of awater-proof material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backpackcomponent has an opening in the top to receive the cooler component.